Broadcaster Hank Greenwald dies

Longtime broadcaster Hank Greenwald, whose superb wit and captivating calls kept things entertaining during a rough era for the Giants, died Monday at 83.

Known for his lowkey humor and vivid accounts of the drama, Greenwald was a fan-favorite over two stints with the team — no matter the results on the field.

“He may have been the greatest ‘bad team’ broadcaster of all-time,” said Ken Korach, the A’s radio man and Greenwald’s longtime friend. “He once told me, ‘If you get swept up in how bad the team is on the field, you’re going to sound just as flat as the team that’s playing. You can’t let that happen.”’

Greenwald had been suffering from heart and kidney complications and was reportedly taken to California Pacific Medical Center over the weekend. The Giants released a statement Tuesday on Greenwald’s passing, acknowledging his service with the organization and his relationship to the club’s fans.

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow, upon hearing the news Tuesday morning, decided to celebrate with a smile instead of tears. He and broadcast partner Duane Kuiper made a point of savoring Greenwald’s handful of visits to AT&T Park in recent years because they knew their mentor’s poor health had him on “borrowed time.”

“Something magical happened every time he came out,” Krukow said by phone. “Hank was in such poor health, but as soon as he walked into that ballpark, he got a little twinkle in his eye. He just lit up.”

Greenwald could be hilarious. Krukow remembers a game years ago in Pittsburgh in which Greenwald was asked to tape the TV intro. So he opened with: “Welcome to Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh where the Giants play game two of a three-game series …”

But director Jim Lynch told Greenwald it was too long and asked him to cut it down. So for his next take the broadcaster started with: “Welcome to Two Rivers Stadium … ”